Monthly Archives: November 2011

I made it! 30+ Ideas in 30 Days!

I am so thankful that Tara Lazar began PiBoIdMo for those of us who love to write and illustrate for children. Tara has created an amazing online and interactive medium for discussing, sharing, and learning about picture book writing. When I decided to participate in PiBoIdMo I had no idea that I would meet so many wonderful people and learn so much about the kidlit and publishing world in one short month!

Thank you to all of my new friends (and my Mom!) for commenting on my blog posts throughout the month. I started my blog on the 1st of November thinking no one would read it. Still I wanted to keep an online record of my journey, so I took a chance, and I met all of you! I look forward to continuing our online exchange of ideas as we strive to become the best writers that we can be.

In these tough economic times, public library funding is in dire jeopardy. Authors and librarians can work together to ensure that libraries continue to grow and support the multimedia needs of citizens everywhere.

ALTAFF, or the Association for Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (part of the American Library Association) has launched a program called “Authors for Libraries.” Authors who join the program will be added to ALTAFF’s authors’ page where, “library staff, Friends groups and Foundation staff can find information about upcoming tours to assist with scheduling library talks and book signings as well as information about forthcoming books and resources for book groups.” In addition, ALTAFF is asking authors to contribute a personal quote about the importance of libraries. Click here to see a list of current members, books, and links to homepages.

Here are additional links to organizations that support public libraries:

Why do writers write?

Why do writers write? For power? Prosperity? Few writers will gain either of these in a lifetime, and most don’t care to. Writers write for the sake of the craft. They write because something inside of them drives them to write.

Why do I write?

Happiness, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose come to mind.

My mother still has a beat up copy of a story I wrote in the second grade about some bunnies and a rainbow, I think. I remember two distinct things about that writing experience. First, I remember the sense of exhilaration I felt as my story began to unfold. Writing was for the most part effortless, and I immediately knew that the story was really good. I didn’t have an inner editor in the second grade. I also remember the sense of pride and accomplishment that I felt when my teacher read it, told me how wonderful it was and proceeded to show it off to the other second grade teachers. There wasn’t much else I was good at-I wasn’t an athlete, I couldn’t play the piano well, and I was a mediocre math student. To realize this gift was like discovering magic.

After that writing experience, I asked my parents for a diary. My mother bought me a little purple one with a lock and key, and I took it with me wherever I went. I still have it! I love to read my old diary entries, because they take me back in time, and I am reminded that once I really was a child who saw the world through innocent eyes.

I write today because it simply feels good to write. I write to discover things about the world and about myself and about the connections between us that are real and telling. I write about my dreams and my childhood and my hopes and my life. I write about things that are happy and about things that are sad and all of these things live and breathe in my beautiful and merciful journal. I am convinced that within that journal lies another bunny story, and I intend to find that diamond in the coming months.

Use Storybird to stir your imagination!

Yet another amazing web 2.0 tool for creating picture book ideas…Storybird! Thanks to fellow PiBoIdMo participant Ella Kennan for posting this fantastic link. You can read her Storybird called All Kinds of Happy on the PiBoIdMo Facebook page. Storybird is quite addictive, so set aside a good chunk of time to play. Sign up is free, and you can keep your stories private, or you can publish them and receive comments. You can also purchase a PDF copy or a printed book. If you are a teacher or work in a school, introduce this tool to your students. It will engage and empower the most reluctant young writers.

Click on the link below to read my first Storybird called Let Your Spirit Soar!

Consider the “dual” audience. Yes you are writing a children’s book, but who is going to read it aloud a million times? (As a librarian, I can truly appreciate this advice.) A strong picture book appeals to both children and adults.

Read the latest copy of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrator’s Market. According to The Writer’s Store, “For more than 20 years, CWIM has been the definitive publishing guide for anyone who seeks to write or illustrate for kids and young adults. Inside you’ll find more than 700 listings for children’s book publishers and magazines, including a point of contact, how much they pay, and what they’re looking for.”

Watch Katie in this short video called The First Steps to Getting Published

And now…for Perfect Picture Book Friday sponsored by

Visit Susanna’s page for more perfect picture books, including her own!

Title: Duck! Rabbit!

Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

Scholastic, 2009

Fiction

Suitable for: Grades K-2 (ages 5-8)

Themes: Creative Thinking, Point of View

Opening and Brief Synopsis: “Hey, Look! A duck! That’s not a duck. That’s a rabbit! Are you kidding me? It’s totally a duck. It’s for sure a rabbit…” Each two page spread features a simple black ink drawing of a mystery animal- it appears to be a duck on the left side but a rabbit on the right side!

Why I like this book: This picture book is ingenious. The optical illusions are so simple yet so spectacular and hilarious! Duck! Rabbit! holds the reader’s attention from beginning to end. (And there is a surprise ending!)